PERISCOPE LIFE

Not the most progressive of progrock outings, this has serious pop leanings, but the two styles blend nicely on several tracks. The standout opening three tracks (the first flowing into the next, with the third a standalone) are worth the price of admission, and the title cut is excellent as well. The rest range from bland to forgettable. Remarkably, the boring track "Anne," an ode to Ms. Boleyn of Henry VIII fame, was inexplicably included on the recent "Best of Kayak" release, although it is clearly not even the best track on this one.

Introvert?

"Periscope life" is another competent collection of pop based songs, with simplistic structures, and straight forward instrumentation. The diversity of previous albums is maintained, perhaps even enhanced, although the 10CC/City Boy similarities are still very much to the fore.

There's a bit more emphasis on funkier sounds this time, especially on the Jim Capaldi like "Stop that song", the prosaic "Beggars can't be choosers", and the Billy Joel pop of the title track. The album improves substantially towards the end, the final four tracks being the most notable.

The instrumental "Lost blue of Chartres" has some fine Tony Banks like piano, while "Anne" moves through various atmospheres including medieval, stage show, and a sing-along 60's sad ballad sound. "One way or another" is reminiscent of "Stackridge", leading to the Bees Gees/Hollies influenced closing ballad "Sad to say farewell". The orchestration and simple guitar solo on this track serve to enhance the retro pop atmosphere.

As a whole, there are just too many average pop rock tracks here to distinguish the album from its many peers. The overall feel is of a band playing so far within themselves, they redefine the meaning of the word introvert.

Periscope Life is the most pop-orëntated album of Kayak. That absolutely doesn't mean it's a bad album! I can understand that this album came as a little dissapointment after the beautiful and succesful "Phantom Of The Night". Where that album had her symphonic and mysterious moments, this record only contents more "happy" tunes, uptempo songs and nice ballads. It's less emotional, but the sound quality is a lot better and the band plays really nice. Their sound is more "full" and balanced than before. Of course, the power of Kayak consists of strong melodies, and so they are on this album. "Stop That Song" is wonderful pop and "If You Really Need Me Now" is a very good ballad, with a strong melody in the chorus. The album also contains 1 instrumental: "Lost Blue Of Chartres" which was used as a theme in the Dutch movie "Spetters". With "Anne", Kayak created a beautiful single, that did not topped the charts as high it deserved. "Sad To Say Farewell" is another tricky ballad. Wonderful melody, and again, strong in the chorus. Note the excellent vocals of Edward Reekers, he is a great singer. This is no album with long symphonic tracks and exciting synth-work, but a poppy album, with great playing, melodies and highlights whick makes this album fitting pretty well in your progressive collection. Not Kayak's best album, but surely one of the most direct and balanced ones!

This album is in line with most of the band's work.

Pleasant and easy listening prog-pop music. Crafted vocal harmonies, nice melodies, performing keys by Ton Scherpenheuvel and a global fine feeling.

But this has already been the case for several albums and actually, it is a bit of the same meal which is served here. Record after record. My absolute fave from "Kayak" being their debut of course, which was followed by a bunch of good albums.

I would include this one on the same level even if there are hardly one great song included. But there aren't any poor ones either, so!

It is hard to write a long review about this album: the music is simple, at times catchy (mostly vocals) and very much easy listening. Just grab a bunch of friends around the fireplace, get another bunch of drinks, talk about nice souvenirs and here you go!

Quite a decent work finally. Three stars.

Kayak in 1980 with Periscope life. You wonder what Kayak was doing in early '80's, well good I might say, they keep the same formula and the music is another example of a good Kayak album, no more no less. The music on the base is pop prog with a good doze of mainstrem elements but not a comercial album IMO, kinda easy listning at first time, but in the end is a typical Kayak album, that is a good thing. Same manner of composing, same vocal choruses brings to the listner a pleasent album, to me was another ex of worthy investment in their music. The forte tracks are What's in aname, excellent piece full of great musicianship and intristing keybords, Periscope life , Astral aliens and the great instrumental Lost blue of Chartres with a Genesis touch here and there, mainly prog pop but well produce and played. By this period Kayak remind me a lot of Machiavel (who were with Urban games ) on the market, but aswell Styx or Supertramp. So another worthy album from Kayak catalogue, 3 stars, again good one but less intristing for ex then Duke or Drama, who were miles ahead in terms of progressive rock in that period.

This desert submarine brings me back to were my prog addoration began!

It is about eight years ago when I bought a second hand pick-up and a few vinyl records: Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells and this record of Kayak. The price of the pick-up and the records was about 15 euro together and became the starting point of my vinyl collection which turned into a vinyl addiction in the next years. I explored all the categories within rock and soon became a huge fan of bands like King Crimson, Yes, etc., etc... It's quiet amazing now that the thing that made me decide getting a pick-up was the promise of a colleaque that I could have his Motörhead vinyl of "Ace of Spades" if I had one.

Because I only owned a few records in the beginning I listened to this record dozens of times. This up-tempo cross-over prog with some nice symphonic melodies is still one of my favourite Kayak records. It's optimistic songs bring forth an enthousiastic atmosphere and the music is full of nice solo's. One of my favourite tracks is "Stop that song" with the great melodie started by flute and followed by guitar. The trumpet is doing a great job here by blowing some happy tunes.

This record is full of cross-over prog with some nice ballads and up-tempo rock songs. The songwriting is aboth average. It's just since a week ago I discovered that this record is from the 80's. When I keep in mind that progressive rock was having a hard time to survive these days my admiration of this record grows. This is no masterpiece however, but just a nice and warm record. It's an easy listening without much tension, but with great enthousiasm and some good songs. 3,5 stars.

For sure this seventh album is not the best from Kayak as there are not so many masterpiece songs taken from this one. As far of the way I define Kayak, it's basically a pop rock band with some elements of prog that makes them in the prog scene. The strenght of Kayak music is in most of their melodies as many tracks they have produced have very strong and memorable melodies with great vocal harmony. As for this album there are two masterpiece songs: "Anne" which has a very good vibe and flow, plus - of course - memorable melody. The other one is the ballad "Sad to Say Farewell" which has become my personal favorite of all time. It's great in terms of vocal as well as how the piano blends together in the music. I really consider this album still worth as personal collection especially for those melody-maniac. Keep on proggin' ...! Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW